Tracy McGrady used to be one of the best players in the NBA, but now he has to start all over again at the bottom.
Richard Mackson/USA TODAY Sports
McGrady, 34 and a seven-time NBA All-Star, made his pitching debut for the Sugar Land Skeeters in a spring training game today against Alvin Community College. The 6-foot-8 McGrady didn’t do too shabby. He pitched only an inning, allowing one run on three hits. More importantly, it looks like he showed some control throwing nine strikes out of 15 pitches. There hasn’t been any word yet if he showed off his knuckle ball that he apparently has in his repertoire, but I’m sure it’ll show up some time soon this spring.
There’s no guarantee that McGrady, who last played for the San Antonio Spurs last year, will have spot on the Independent League team, but apparently he came to play and is serious about making the roster. At his age, it might be a bit hard to do, but if he keeps improving as a pitcher, who knows? Stranger things have happened.
Let’s just hope he has a better showing than a certain basketball player turned minor league hopeful from the past. Cough, Jordan, Cough.
SKEETERS WIN: The Skeeters kicked off their Spring Training tonight with a 10-1 victory over the Alvin Dolphins! pic.twitter.com/y7Riny4IHa
— Sugar Land Space Cowboys (@SLSpaceCowboys) April 17, 2014
And if you want some video footage of him pitching, check him out here warming up.
Not bad form, McGrady. Not bad at all.
